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Detention or Eco Club: Choosing your future - Juan Martinez

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Growing up surrounded by gangs in South Central Los Angeles, Juan Martinez wasn't exposed to the great outdoors. One day in high school, he was given the life-changing choice between detention or Eco Club. He chose nature and has since devoted his life to getting kids back to the outdoors as a National Geographic Explorer and director of the Natural Leaders Network.

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Juan Martinez

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Juan D. Martinez is director for the Natural Leaders Network, an initiative of the Children & Nature Network. Has been named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. He dedicates his energy to grassroots campaigns from health care and housing discriminination, to creating garden space where he grew up in South Central L.A. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_yM7eojpLs

The 1992 Los Angeles riots were riots that occurred over six days in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in California in April 1992. The riots started on April 29, 1992, after a jury trial resulted in the acquittal of four Los Angeles Police Department officers accused in the videotaped beating of African-American motorist Rodney King following a high-speed police pursuit. Thousands of people throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area rioted over the six days following the announcement of the verdict. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots

The Crips are a primarily, but not exclusively, African-American gang. They were founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1969, mainly by Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams. What was once a single alliance between two autonomous gangs is now a loosely connected network of individual sets, often engaged in open warfare with one another. http://www.streetgangs.com/crips

The Bloods are a primarily, though not exclusively, African American street gang founded in Los Angeles, California. The gang is widely known for its rivalry with the Crips. They are identified by the red color worn by their members and by particular gang symbols, including distinctive hand signs. http://www.streetgangs.com/magazine/070406racial.html

About TED-Ed Originals

TED-Ed Original lessons feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed original? Nominate yourself here »